Our community believes that a more sustainable fashion industry is not only possible, but profitable. Together, we’re shaping the future of the independent fashion movement. Get inspired and get to know the Factory45 alumni below.
Valentina Atelier
The whole program really is valuable, but especially the community. You can talk to your peers and bounce off ideas which is really great. I’ve made some amazing life long friendships! Another thing that was huge for me was the launch pre-launch platform that I used.
Mikumo
Being a part of Factory45 was very helpful in providing a sense of community and external motivation to stay on track. I felt like I was not alone on this journey, which reduced my anxieties about taking the ‘road less traveled.’ There’s always someone there to help you work through a problem, whether it’s a mentor or someone else in the program.
Anna Gray Collection
I think the most valuable parts of the program are the way the lessons are laid out, the mentorship aspect, and the community. Each of these parts were so valuable to me. The fashion industry is a different ball-game and having so many opportunities to ask questions and get help that was specific to the industry was a game-changer.
JOLA
The most valuable part of being in Factory45 for me was the community and the supplier/manufacturer databases. From leads I took following advice other members in the community gave me, I found so many other sources of valuable information in terms of how to keep my brand moving forward after the program was finished.
Bambina
In my opinion the most valuable part of Factory45 has been the community and connections made both with Shannon and the other entrepreneurs in the group. The support of the women in my cohort has been great. We are currently working with Natalia (who we met in the group) on a custom print for our upcoming collection and it’s been a wonderful experience.
Casa Danu
It’s hard for me to pinpoint the most valuable thing about Factory45 because I really do think it’s the combination of the lessons/resources, the databases, the ongoing mentor workshops and coworking sessions, and the community that make it such a unique and powerful accelerator.
MSL Bags
What I love about Factory 45 is that you don’t have to have any business knowledge, or prior experience in the fashion industry. Shannon takes you through every step of the process, in a strategic order, so that you can start building a strong foundation for your business from Day 1.
Wandwoods
Factory45 gave me the roadmap and the psychological support I needed to start and keep going and believing. There are several moments when you just want to give up and feel alone, but the community is absolutely fantastic, and you feel like a part of something bigger all the way.
MoraRae
Factory45 helped me to fill in the gaps and provide much needed resources. I have a degree in fashion design and have worked in the industry but I still struggled to find manufacturers and sourcing partners that matched the sustainable and ethical practices I wanted to instill into MoraRae.
Farrell & Co.
Joining Factory45 gave me not only the resources I needed to get started (factory databases, email templates) but also the network of people I needed to really feel confident in the direction I was going. The Factory45 program also gave me the structure I needed to really make progress, including modules, co-working sessions and 1-1 mentor check-ins.
Hope Continues
The fashion industry is not known for transparency. Knowing what questions to ask and having a database of suppliers and manufacturers was so valuable. We cannot do better until we know better and Factory45 helped me to know how to proceed ethically in an industry where that is not the standard.
Nicole & Rose
The resources are so incredibly valuable. I was most worried about finding suppliers and a production partner and the lists and templates are honestly invaluable. The mentorship and support from Shannon and all of the other members was also invaluable.
Fair Seas Supply Co.
I have no previous apparel experience, but I knew I wanted to start my own business and I felt like Factory45 could help me do it with integrity. I quickly, and pretty randomly, decided on beach blankets and ran with it. A mere four months after graduating from Factory45 my business was up and running.
Unified People
Some of our biggest takeaways from the program were the countless tips and resources related to production and business development. Shannon helped demystify the daunting process of sourcing fabrics and manufacturers, and she provided helpful tips and suggestions regarding pitfalls to avoid.
Dessous Loungewear
Factory45 helped me gain the industry knowledge I needed to feel confident approaching and negotiating with pattern makers, sample makers, fabric suppliers, and factories.
Vetta
Through Factory45, I created a brand and a product that I believed in, that was beautiful, high quality and socially and environmentally responsible. I feel so lucky that I found Factory45 when I did. I now have the tools I need to succeed, and feel equipped to build a long term brand that will have a positive impact on the fashion industry.
Sotela
I wouldn’t be going after my dream if I hadn’t joined Factory45… I’ve grown so much as a person and entrepreneur since joining the program. I’m no longer scared to cold call or email production partners, I feel competent in what I’m doing, and I know the exact steps to take to launch my first collection.
Siena and Co.
All the information about pre-launch and building up your audience and marketing was very helpful. Also, the community has been a huge resource for when I have questions, need connections or just need to bounce ideas off others. In particular, I was having a really tough time finding a cutter for my production, and was given a referral by another Factory45 alum, and it was an incredible connection!
LOVANIE
Factory45 was one of the main contributors that enabled me to launch my own sustainable fashion brand. It was helpful that the program was as long as it was, so that I had time to digest the course materials and implement everything I learned in real-time.
Paul Rameau
The most valuable thing I learned joining Factory45 was sourcing fabrics and transitioning from that process to then finding the right manufacturer for the type of garments we wanted to create. The most difficult part in starting a fashion brand is the start so when Shannon gives step by step directions on what to do and where to find it; it helps a lot.
Novel Supply Co.
The community and the network building through Factory45 is incomparable. I have connected with a journalist who wanted to write an article about me and my business, a communications business who wanted to help promote my launch and multiple Factory45’ers who’ve wanted to support and share resources.
Gala Maar
Factory45 was the best step I could have taken while navigating early entrepreneurship. Shannon has designed a clear and concise program that takes the guess work out of so many would-be time and money consuming aspects of starting a business.
Pure Colour Baby
Factory45 taught me SO many incredibly important things. My background is in the interior design field so I really appreciated learning about sampling, production and working with sew shops. I now feeI much more confident in my business decisions and ready to take those next steps.
Farbrook Studio
[After Factory45,] I successfully funded my Kickstarter, despite the timing being quite bad (the 2016 election happened right in the middle of my campaign.) I’ve made pre-sales through my website before having inventory available, and I’ve had a few local boutiques in Brooklyn express interest in carrying my line once it’s ready.
Of an Origin
F45 has been incredible in building the foundation for Of an Origin. The video lessons gave me the confidence to create the brand, the databases and resources gave me the tools, and Shannon has been an amazing connector and coach along the way.
Vesta
One thing that always held me back from starting my line was that I felt I couldn’t do this alone. Well, I was right, but I didn’t need a business partner. I just needed a community of like-minded people going through the same challenges I’m going through, to lift me up and make me sure that I can succeed at this crazy thing called entrepreneurship.
ODC
Prior to Factory45, the idea of sustainability was so new to us so the course really helped open our eyes to life in the sustainable world. Starting your own business and getting the right contacts takes an incredible amount of time and a lot of production partners don’t trust new businesses, rightfully so.
Harly Jae
Quite frankly, I don’t think I would have had the guts to launch the business without F45. Sometimes you enroll in a program, and by the end of it you think, “I could have figured this out on my own.” You can’t say that about Factory45.
Reprise Activewear
Factory45 gave me the confidence I needed to put my idea out there and start creating. Sending my first email to fabric suppliers was still scary but having a template of what to say gave me the boost I needed – and the responses I was looking for! This applied to every step of the process, from sourcing to production to crowdfunding; the inside information I garnered gave me the assurance that I was on the right track.
Thom Kelly
We were not able to find existing plaid fabric that fit our style and brand, so we decided to create our own custom designed fabric from scratch. It was a long road to conquer this big milestone, but definitely one that was worth the time and effort, especially after hearing “no” so many times. The launch of our website was another key milestone that felt really good to hit.
Liz Riden
Before Factory45, LIZ RIDEN was a completely solo operation. I (Liz), designed, cut, and sewed every single bag order that came in. I joined Factory45 to be able to learn how to confidently navigate manufacturing and to be able to successfully scale my business from just myself.
Santos Swim
I was able to source packaging, build my website, set up email marketing, open pre-orders, conduct photoshoots, and complete production. Although Santos Swim is still a very small brand, seeing my designs being worn around the world is truly incredible!
Aura7 Activewear
I knew from the very beginning that I want to do my business in the right way, the sustainable way but I felt like a little fish swimming in a giant ocean in between sharks. I had some ideas but nothing was clear.
Poppy Row
As much as this is a group program, it felt so completely personalized + some of my cohort members have now become some of my best entrepreneurial supporters. Having colleagues that *get it* + I could grow with, without feeling competitive, was one of the biggest surprises I got out of this program. In a field that can feel alone, Factory45 allowed me to find a community that made me not feel so isolated.
Choix
Factory 45 guided me from the beginning to the end! The program started in June, mid-July I was traveling to LA and meeting fabric suppliers and end of August, I had my very first samples. Keep in mind, I had ZERO contacts and knowledge on suppliers, pattern-makers. But the program is bringing so many resources.
Jai-Dee Dancewear
Factory45 has been alongside us for every milestone so far! Because of Factory45 I was able to take a small, half-formed idea off my dream shelf and move with it, step by step, towards making it a reality. I learned the ins and outs of starting a business, sourced fabrics, created our signature designs and completed our first production run.
milo+nicki
One of the largest areas I was able to improve on is my communication skills and being okay with putting myself out there — be it through social media or with factories and sample/pattern makers. By having a solid story and knowing the lingo of the industry gave me the confidence to open up and push my idea into a business.
Bevy Goods
Not only did Shannon teach us the steps to go through to launch our products and brands, but she also provided databases filled with contacts and templates to help get us started… I would absolutely recommend Factory45 to anyone interested in creating a Made in America textile product.
Blue Seaciety
Before joining Factory45, I was coming off a rebranding stage as well as opening a new chapter in my personal life. After just graduating college I was at a unique stage where I could really work toward bringing my clothing brand vision to life. I was making the switch from buying wholesale blanks which I did in college to making the investment (both time and financially) to manufacturing my own cuts and styles. This meant basically restarting everything.
Medicine Mountain Scrub Company
Before joining Factory45, I just had an idea that I wanted to start a sustainable, mountain inspired scrub company, but had no idea how to get started. I need a starting point and was excited when I found Factory45 gave me the direction and guidance I needed to start the process.
Trued Apparel
After Factory45, I found a local pattern and sample maker (listed on one of the contact sheets), who then connected me with small local shops they work with on production. I ordered sample fabric from various suppliers to make my decision on which fabrics to move forward with.
Tripulse
Shannon was guiding us step-by-step through the process of building a sustainable fashion brand both from the marketing and product development side which I have implemented for my own business. I also launched a successful Kickstarter campaign using a lot of the valuable advice I gained from joining Factory45.
Mayor
Shannon is the MVP of Factory45. She is an excellent teacher and coach, providing motivation and accountability along the way. She will show you how to build your clothing business, but you have to put in the work to be successful.
Regenerous Designs
Before I started the program I thought the most important thing that would come from this would be the knowledge about how to run a successful Kickstarter, but as I went through, the thing that turned out to be the most valuable was the community of other like-minded business owners.
LIYA Collective
After going through Factory45, I finalized my first products, launched pre-sales on my website and hit my pre-sale goal. I’ve since gone on to develop future collections, sell in various marketplaces and do some amazing collaborations with influencers and activists in the sustainable fashion space.
